Arizona Diamondbacks' Trevor Cahill continues to progress

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Trevor Cahill looks to the outfield as he gives up a three-run home run to Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman in the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 30, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

When I sat down to write this pregame story about a Diamondbacks' starting pitcher getting close to returning to the rotation, I felt like it was déjà vu. Then I realized I did write this story on Monday, except it was about Brandon McCarthy and Tuesday it's about Trevor Cahill.

Cahill is on the 15-day disabled list with a right hip contusion. He was originally injured June 19 against the Marlins on a line drive back to the mound, but was not put on the DL until July 1. Cahill tried to pitch through the injury but it was causing him to mechanically compensate in other areas while pitching.

"Threw a bullpen today, he threw very good and he's going to throw and AZL (Arizona League) game I think on Thursday," said manager Kirk Gibson during his pregame media session Tuesday. "He's gonna go probably 60-70 pitches maybe and will see where he goes from there. He may go pitch somewhere after that, so he's coming along."

While on the disabled list, Cahill also experienced some shoulder soreness, so Gibson was hesitant to set an exact timetable for his return to the big league club.

"I'm not sure. See how he goes through this one. I know in his last simulated game he maybe threw 45 pitches or so but it was 105 (degrees) out and he got tired pretty quickly," Gibson said. "We'll see how he goes this time out and go from there. He feels good, says he's feeling better and feeling stronger. His mechanics are better, kinda pain free."

Before landing on the disabled list, the 25-year-old was 3-10 in 17 starts with a 4.66 ERA. Since joining the D-backs in 2012, Cahill is 16-22 with a 4.07 ERA in 49 starts.